This creamy Christmas Cheese Ball is the perfect pop of delicious decor your table needs this holiday season. This make-ahead appetizer is made with cream cheese and goat cheese blended together with aromatic herbs and seasonings, then rolled in juicy pomegranate seeds for a burst of brightness. Enjoy with all the crackers and dippers you like, and let this festive showstopping ball speak for itself! 

pomegranate ornament christmas cheeseball on a plate with crackers

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cheese Ball

Who doesn’t love cheese?! This ornament-like cheese ball is full of soft creamy goodness and mixed together with the perfect blend of herbs and seasonings to make it truly irresistible. Then, it’s rolled in delicious pomegranate seeds (and nuts, if you want!)

You can also make it ahead of time! You can make your entire cheese ball a few days ahead and just wrap it in saran wrap until you’re ready to serve it at your party – or as a snack! We should enjoy cute and delicious things on a regular basis, not just special occasions. 

And it’s so freakin’ festive! This Christmas cheese ball is topped with a gold-wrapped Rolo to really drive the ornament decoration home. It’ll be the talk of the party! 

Ingredients

pomegranate seeds, cream cheese, goat cheese, herbs, seasonings, and green onions

The base of this recipe is obviously the cheese mixture itself, so I perfect the herbs and seasonings that go into it. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need with the outside ingredients listed below. 

Cheese Ball Ingredients

  • Cream cheese
  • Goat cheese
  • Green onion
  • Herbs: fresh parsley, rosemary, oregano
  • Seasonings: cracked black pepper, garlic powder, salt
  • Optional: nuts

Then for the outside of the ball, you’ll need pomegranate seeds, a gold-wrapped Rolo, and a small sprig of rosemary

Variations and Substitutions 

This ball is delicious as-is, but you can always make substitutions based on your personal preferences. Here are some options!

  • If you don’t like goat cheese, you can use extra cream cheese and then mix it with shredded cheddar cheese instead.
  • You can use dill, chives, or sage for a different herb profile. 
  • Your favorite chopped nuts are optional for the outside, but I recommend them for extra texture and flavor. Try chopped walnuts, almond slivers, pecans, or peanuts. 
  • Also, take your nuts to the next level by roasting them first for a deeper flavor.
  • Want to cut the richness of the cheese? Add a dash of something acidic like Worcestershire sauce or citrus. 
  • Roll your ball in bacon bits for a smoky savory addition. 
  • I’ve made a couple of cheese balls in my day, so take a look at my cranberry pistachio cheese ball and jalapeno cheese ball for ideas with different flavor combos.  

How To Make Your Christmas Cheese Ball

mix the cheese and other ingredients together

Step 1: Mix Ingredients

In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, goat cheese, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, green onion, parsley, rosemary, oregano, and nuts. 

add the seasonings and herbs to the cheese mixture

Step 2: Shape The Ball

Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap onto a flat surface and transfer the cheese mixture to the center. Wrap the cream cheese mixture and form it into a ball.

wrap the cheeseball in saran wrap to form it into a ball

Step 3: Chill

Refrigerate your cheese ball for 15-20 minutes, or until the ball is semi-firm.

Step 4: Roll in Toppings

Place pomegranate seeds onto a small baking sheet evenly. Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and onto the baking sheet, and roll the ball into the pomegranate seeds until its evenly coated. 

roll the cheese ball in pomegranate seeds and then add a gold foil rolo to the top

Step 5: Serve

Transfer your ball to a serving platter and serve it with a variety of crackers, pretzels, chips, and veggies. Top the very top of the cheese ball with a single Rolo and a sprig of rosemary to make it look like a Christmas ornament.

an overhead photo of a pomegranate cheese ball with crackers beside it for serving

FAQs

What kind of crackers go best with cheese balls?

The short answer – your favorite crackers. Whatever floats your boat is what you should enjoy with your cheese ball, but I do suggest providing a variety if you’re serving it to guests. Choose a mixture of buttery, salty, whole grain, and seeded crackers so there’s a little something for everyone. 

How do I store a make-ahead cheeseball? 

Easily! If you’re making your cheese ball ahead of time, just wrap it securely in saran wrap and keep it in the fridge. Once you’re close to serving it, pull it out of the fridge and let it come closer to room temp so it softens. 

What should I avoid when making a cheeseball? 

Definitely avoid dry cheeses like parmesan! They don’t spread, they don’t mix, and they’re not the vibe for this kind of recipe. 

a closeup photo of a cheeseball covered in pomegranate seeds and adorned with a Rolo and sprig of rosemary so it looks like an ornament

Cheese Ball Serving Suggestions 

In addition to crackers, you can also serve your ball with veggies, bread, fruit, and literally anything salty. Pretzels are one of my favorite options, personally. 

More Cheesy Appetizers You’ll Love

If you make this Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!

I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!

pomegranate ornament christmas cheeseball on a plate with crackers

Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball

Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
This creamy Christmas Cheese Ball is the perfect pop of delicious decor your table needs this holiday season. This make-ahead appetizer is made with cream cheese and goat cheese blended together with aromatic herbs and seasonings, then rolled in juicy pomegranate seeds for a burst of brightness. Enjoy with all the crackers and dippers you like, and let this festive showstopping ball speak for itself! 

ingredients
 

  • 1 – 8 oz package cream cheese softened 1 – 8 oz goat cheese, crumbled Cracked black pepper ½ tsp garlic powder¼ tsp salt 1 green onion, finely diced 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tbsp minced rosemary leaves 2 tsp oregano leaves, minced ¼ cup chopped nuts, optional Pomegranate seeds, for outside 1 gold wrapped rolo1 small sprig of rosemary 

instructions
 

  • Mix the ingredients: In a medium bowl mix together cream cheese, goat cheese, black pepper, garlic powder, salt, green onion, parsley, rosemary, oregano, and nuts. 
  • Shape into a ball: Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap onto a flat surface and transfer the cheese mixture to the center. Wrap the cream cheese and form into a ball.
  • Chill: Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or until the ball is semi-firm.
  • Roll in toppings: Place pomegranate seeds onto a small baking sheet evenly. Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and onto the baking sheet. Roll the ball into pomegranate seeds until evenly coated. 
  • Serve: Transfer to a serving platter and serve with a variety of crackers, pretzels, chips and veggies. Top the top of the cheese ball with a single rolo and a sprig of rosemary.
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese ball, cheese ball appetizer, christmas cheese ball

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pomegranate ornament christmas cheeseball on a plate with crackers
Elizabeth, author of Everyday Elizabeth, drinking at a gathering.

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